Blended learning in the UK

We’re pleased to be able to offer you a blended learning experience in the UK. Here you can learn more about blended learning and what to expect.

Important notice: blended learning is temporarily suspended at all UK colleges for the duration of the national lockdown. Colleges are delivering lessons online until blended learning can be resumed. Learn more.

On this page you’ll find information about:: What blended learning is; How blended learning works; Progressing to university

What is blended learning?

Blended learning is a mix of face-to-face teaching and online study. It means that you’ll spend some time at college for in-person lessons, and the rest of your learning will take place remotely using our digital learning solutions. It allows us to offer you a safe learning environment, so that you can feel supported and be successful in your studies.

So, if you’re able to travel to the UK, then it’s a great study option that means you can get the best of both worlds: face-to-face teaching and digital learning.

How does blended learning work?

Social distancing and safety measures
Our colleges carried out extensive preparations to be ready for face-to-face learning, and we have a range of solutions and innovations currently in place to make sure you’ll get a fantastic — and safe — study experience. We’ve made sure that all appropriate social distancing measures are in place, and we are, of course, following all UK government guidance on health and safety.

At all of our UK colleges, we’ve implemented the following measures to ensure your safety.
- Hand sanitiser stations throughout the building
- Floor markings to aid social distancing
- Reduced classroom capacity to comply with government guidelines
- Directional signage to ensure a safe flow of traffic around the College
- Face masks available for anyone who needs one
- Thorough cleaning at regular intervals every day
- All staff fully briefed on the requirements needed to keep everyone in the building safe at all times
- Explanation of social distancing and safety measures as part of the student induction process
We’ve also organised the timetable so that you are able to learn new concepts via engaging digital materials during your private study time, and then consolidate what you’ve learnt through valuable face-to-face support from tutors and classmates.

Please note: exact social distancing and safety measures may differ for courses not delivered by Kaplan (University of Bristol International Foundation Programme; Engineering and Physical Sciences Foundation Certificate at the University of Nottingham; University of York International Pathway College programmes) but government guidelines will still be adhered to. You can read more about the plans for these programmes here.
Teaching and assessment methods

Your blended learning experience will involve a mix of traditional face-to-face teaching at your college and digital learning at home. This means that you’ll experience a variety of different teaching and assessment methods to help you demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes of the modules and your programme.

Some of these involve you submitting work before a deadline via the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), or equivalent, and others are more time-restricted. For example, there may be some examinations for which questions are made available and you have a limited amount of time to return your answers.

For a small number of assessments, you may be required to use special software on your computer, which helps with exam security and verifies your identity.  These measures mean you can be sure that your studies prior to entering university in the UK will be recognised and respected.

At present, we’re aiming to give students approximately 15 hours of “in class” time per week (60-70% of your timetable). However, this may vary depending on the size of the college, and with government advice. Currently, in-person classes will cover no fewer than 8 hours per week (around 40%).

Please note that face-to-face teaching time may vary for the following courses that are not delivered by Kaplan: University of Bristol International Foundation Programme; Engineering and Physical Sciences Foundation Certificate at the University of Nottingham; University of York International Pathway College programmes. You can read more about the Autumn 2020 plans for these programmes here.
Welcome Week and student support

Welcome Week is a very important part of our programmes. It allows you to meet your tutors and other students on your course, learn more about the modules you’ll study, and find out how to access all the support services available to you.

You’ll enjoy the full Welcome Week experience with the opportunity to get try out the different learning tools you’ll be using, and to get to know your classmates in a relaxed way. You’ll have a tour of your college, an introduction to your new city, and you’ll have the chance to take part in games and social events. This will all help you feel like part of the community as soon as you get to the college.

Depending on when you arrive, some of these activities may take place online.

Learn more about the support services available to you here.

Progressing to university

You’ll have everything you need to be successful on your pathway course when you join us for blended learning in the UK.

Our quality teaching and assessment methods are recognised by our university partners, which means you are guaranteed entry to your chosen degree when you pass your course with the required grades, and with good attendance.

Pathway courses taught by our university partners

Here you can watch videos with information on what kind of teaching and learning you can expect on some of the pathway courses taught by our university partners, including the International Foundation Programme at the University of Bristol, and programmes at the University of York International Pathway College.